Article by: Shafique
Qureshi….
Dated: 18th March 2016
LAUNCHING OF UNIVERSAL BANK ACCOUNT PROCEEDURE REQUEST
If we go back into the history,
the NGOs have played great role in development of Pakistan in different sectors &
corners especially to end poverty, to provide free education resources,
currently there are number of NGOs giving remarkable healthcare services. After
80s where number of NGOs have taken good steps at the same time some destructive
thought people, politicians even and some belonging low category and lower
class people change the modus operandi of NGO, they have driven NGOs fame into
money making machine by raising funds, collecting foreign aids and donations
from international organizations. The
government of Pakistan inclusion
with high authorities, banks & Defence ministries took various measures to
screen & scan the process of fake NGOs especially after militants
organizations for transferring & rotating money to destroy Pakistan ’s
image.
I personally, been very happy for
this because thousands of people were cheated/ defrauded through their fake
NGOs platform by collecting donations on streets by making their fake / so
called ambulance services, blood banks, clinics, schools etc. I fully agree that government could never be
succeeded till the cooperation of its citizens, residents and society owners,
we have to approach and give our solutions and suggestions to the government,
we must withdraw their attention towards constructing safe and secure Pakistan . I fully appreciate that government of
Pakistan & State Bank of Pakistan have taken strict compliance for opening
of NGO’s bank accounts working within Pakistan or abroad Pakistan, the
authorities have taken serious action to end fake NGOs but I am sorry to say
that some of the banks in Pakistan took wrong impression of strict compliance due
to which number of good working / good will and properly registered NGOs facing
hardships for opening of their accounts.
It is mandatory for any NGO to
open bank account for different purpose like wise making Income Tax Registration,
Tax Exception Certificates, raising funds & supports from international
organization, but still some of the banks do not open bank account though the
NGOs holds all required documents from Social Departments of Pakistan either provincial
or federal, I have observed that number of bank’s employees does not even have
an idea how to open NGO bank account, what documents are required as per SBP
policies, now in my view we may not argue or comment criticize on any SBP Rules,
Honorable Courts, or Higher authorities, but we may find good solutions and
solutions must be beneficial & secure for both sides, but still government or
its authorities are not bound to comply our suggestions, yes! Requested to
review our suggestions and issues.
As the most of NGOs facing
accounts opening problems I suggest that Government of Pakistan SBP should
schedule one Universal Bank either National Bank of Pakistan or any that is completely
supervised/monitored and controlled by the Government of Pakistan to open all
NGOs bank accounts to operate one account at one bank, by this practice the
NGOs will become under one roof & umbrella, not only to get facilities but
also to being completely observed and strictly monitored. Therefore, SBP should introduce some
Universal NGO accounts policy & package.
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